Team Sky suspend Gianni Moscon over ‘racist comments’ made to Kevin Reza

Twenty-two-year-old Italian Gianni Moscon has ridden a solid Classics season so far for Sky, finishing 15th in the Tour of Flanders. He'll provide an option for the squad alongside Ian Stannard and Luke Rowe.
Credit: Daniel Gould

It is unclear exactly what Moscon said to Reza. A video of Sky’s stage win celebrations posted by the team via its Twitter account clearly shows Reza in a heated discussion with Moscon in the background.

Immediately after the stage, Reza’s team-mate Sebastien Reichenbach appeared to refer to the incident on Twitter, saying: “Shocked to hear imbeciles still use racist insults in the pro peloton. You are a shame for our sport.”

A statement issued by the team on Monday said that Reza accepted Moscon’s apology directly after the conversation, but nevertheless Team Sky has disciplined its 23-year-old rider. The statement does not specify the nature of the comments made by Moscon.

“Following a disciplinary meeting with Team Sky concerning an incident at the Tour of Romandie, Gianni Moscon has been given a formal written warning and suspended from racing for six weeks. He will also attend a diversity awareness course,” said the statement.

Kevin Reza. Photo: Yuzuru Sunada

“Gianni recognises that his behaviour was wrong and how seriously Team Sky take this kind of incident.

“He apologised to Kevin Reza after the stage and again to him and his team the following morning, and this apology was accepted. Gianni knows that there is no excuse for his behaviour and that any repeat will result in termination of his contract.”

Moscon could also face a disciplinary action from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) over the incident.